Plus, exactly how many calories you can expect to sip per glass.

It’s a question you’ve probably asked yourself at some point (maybe even mid-pour). But since there aren’t any calories listed on the bottle, it’s hard to tell how vino fits into your weight-loss plans.

If you’re team wine, know that vino does have health benefits. Studies suggest that the phytochemicals in wine (such as ellagic acid and resveratrol) can help prevent cancer formation and inflammation, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Some research even shows that consuming alcohol in moderation can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even death.

Health perks aside, if you’re trying to lose weight, sipping any kind of booze can squash your weight-loss plans if you overdo it (more on that later).

But it turns out that you can have your glass and reach your goals, too, says Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D., creator of the F-Factor Diet.

As you might have guessed, she says the key is moderation.

The FDA’s recommended alcohol consumption for women is up to one glass (or five ounces) per day. Five ounces of wine ranges from about 80 calories to 120 calories, depending on the type and the region it's grown in.

Fun fact: That’s lower than the cals in an ounce of dark chocolate. So a glass (or maybe even two) shouldn’t cause you to veer too far from your goals.

Just treat it like any other indulgence by adding up your calories for the day or week to determine how much wiggle room you have and where wine can fit in, says Zuckerbrot.

Her low-cal picks for white wines are chardonnay, Riesling, white zinfandel, and sauvignon blanc, all of which are under 85 calories, 2.6 carbs, and one gram of sugar.

The white wines that might be trickier to fit into your healthy-eating plans are sweet dessert wines, which have more than 14 carbs, eight grams of sugar, and 164 calories per glass, says Zuckerbrot.

For reds, go with merlot, pinto noir, and rose, which have less than three grams of carbs, one gram of sugar, and 88 calories. And keep an eye on your glass of sherry or marsala, she says. These wines all have more than 14 carbs, eight grams of sugar, and 164 calories.

Compared to your other happy hour options, like beer, a margarita, or even a vodka cranberry, wine is actually a top choice.

About Article Author

Chuka (Webby) Aniemeka

Chuka is an experienced certified web developer with an extensive background in computer science and 18+ years in web design & development. His previous experience ranges from redesigning existing website to solving complex technical problems with object-oriented programming. Very experienced with Microsoft SQL Server, PHP and advanced JavaScript. He loves to travel and watch movies.